retail environment
Think before you drink after international crackdown on 'windscreen wash' alcohol
Dangerous fake alcohol some of which is made from harmful chemicals including windscreen wash have been seized by UK Trading Standards working with Interpol and Europol.
Recently released results have revealed that approximately 2,500 litres of fake wine and spirits were seized as part of a pre-Christmas enforcement campaign.
Working with international enforcement agencies, UK Trading Standards have also closed down an illegal distillery that could have posed a real threat to public safety.
The crackdown on fake alcohol came as part of an international campaign, Operation OPSON, involving more than 50 countries, organised by Interpol and Europol. The results from UK enforcement activity include:
▪ seizure of more than 1800 litres of illegal wine
▪ seizure of more than 600 litres of spirits and ‘unidentified’ alcohol
▪ closure of illegal factory making ‘vodka’ from windscreen wash
▪ a significant increase in UK activity, from one seizure of spirits in 2013 to 2014 to 12 seizures in 2014 to 2015
Minister for Intellectual Property, Baroness Neville-Rolfe said: “The UK is committed to cracking down on crime that harms proper businesses and can pose a real threat to public safety. Even though we have one of the safest food industries in the world, there are still criminals who want to profit at the expense and safety of others.
This year’s Operation OPSON results show the continued strength of the UK’s enforcement regime, led by Trading Standards and coordinated by the Intellectual Property Office, in protecting consumers and businesses.”
Details of the wider OPSON activity against fake and illicit food around the world, and the organised crime networks behind this illegal trade were released in February 2015.
A final report on OPSON IV will be prepared for circulation within the UK following a debrief session in April 2015.
